Survey of young Canadians express their views on Remembrance Day

November 13, 2012

A recent survey conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of the Rideau Institute, a think tank based in Ottawa, asked Canadian young adults what their feelings were toward Remembrance Day, and what they find to be the most important message to take from the holiday, which took place this past Sunday. According to the Ottawa Citizen, the majority felt as though people should take the time to focus on peace rather than the military achievements over the years.

The survey, which was compiled of 1,004 responses of individuals between the ages of 18 and 30, discovered that 47 percent said they planned on attending a Remembrance Day ceremony or would find another way to celebrate the day. Many believed honoring the soldiers who have lost their lives during battles was the most important aspect of the day, as was the message of peace, according to the media outlet.

"Traditionally it’s been a day that’s been solely focused on veterans, and I think that’s right," Rideau Institute president Steven Staples told the new source. "But after veterans, the takeaway message from the majority of people is that we need to fight [the idea of] war, not [to fight] wars."

Another survey conducted by Ipsos Reid found an increase in those going to a Remembrance Day ceremony this year. Approximately 30 percent said they expected to go, and this is up from 22 percent who said the same in 2010 and 16 percent in 2009, the news outlet reports.